The Withered Tree Always Welcomes Spring chapter 31

After hurriedly parting ways with Wu Bie in the corridor, Chen Xian headed straight for his own door, unaware that Wu Bie was rolling his eyes at him from behind.

“Damn it, why do I feel like I’m being treated like a mistress, called upon and dismissed at will?” Wu Bie cursed Chen Xian and then himself for lacking backbone. It was one thing for Chen Xian to enjoy meddling, but he was even more foolish for getting involved.

Standing at his own door, seeing it tightly closed, Chen Xian hesitated as he raised his hand. He didn’t know how to face Shen Jixue. He wasn’t good at lying, and he could probably fool someone when they weren’t present, but face-to-face with Shen Jixue, he was afraid he might let something slip.

With his hand held in mid-air for a moment, he finally decided to open the door himself with his key. As he inserted the key into the lock, he turned it cautiously, as if afraid of startling Shen Jixue. After unlocking the door, he slowly pushed it open. Before reaching the wooden door inside, he called out to Shen Jixue.

“Xiao Shen? Are you home?”

There was a sound of something being kicked inside. Soon, Shen Jixue’s soft voice responded, “Chen Xian?”

Upon getting a response, Chen Xian quickly opened the door. Shen Jixue had just stood up from the sofa, his eyes swollen and red, as if he had just cried.

“You…” Chen Xian put down his things and hurried over to him. “Why are you crying?”

As he asked this question, he felt guilty. He tried hard to remember if there were any flaws in his lie.

Shen Jixue shook his head, his voice choked. “I just didn’t expect my dad to go to Shenzhen, and I don’t know when he’ll come back.”

Chen Xian breathed a sigh of relief, glad that Shen Jixue believed his words. Shen Jixue’s tears must have been because he was looking forward to reuniting with his dad, and now that it seemed impossible, he cried.

“Don’t worry.” Chen Xian led him to sit on the sofa, clumsily comforting him, “It won’t be long. As you know, making money is fast in Shenzhen. Once your dad has enough money for your surgery, he’ll come back. Don’t burden yourself.”

Shen Jixue raised his chin, his eyelashes sticky with tears sticking together, his hollow eyes unable to focus. “Really? Chen Xian.”

This softly spoken confirmation made Chen Xian hesitate for a moment. He didn’t want to deceive Shen Jixue, even if it was a well-intentioned lie, but… Shen Jixue couldn’t handle the truth in his current state.

Taking a deep breath, Chen Xian said firmly, “Of course it’s true. When have I ever lied to you?”

This sentence seemed to give Shen Jixue a reassurance. He regained his composure and murmured, “You’ve never lied to me.”

Chen Xian clenched his fists, feeling immense guilt that kept him from saying anything.

“Why did you come back?” Shen Jixue wiped his face, trying to compose himself.

He hadn’t explained clearly over the phone just now. Obviously, Shen Jixue’s dad had already gone to Shenzhen, so it wouldn’t make sense to come back just because of Shen Jixue.

Chen Xian’s tongue wriggled in his mouth. “Just happened that Wu Bie had something going on at home, and then there was news about your dad, so I came back with him.”

After saying this, he held his breath, observing Shen Jixue’s expression. Shen Jixue seemed indifferent, not suspicious at all, regardless of whether this reason made sense or not, he believed it.

“Since you came back, can you still get paid?”

Chen Xian smiled awkwardly. He hadn’t expected Shen Jixue to worry about so much. “I definitely won’t get paid, but it’s okay, I don’t really need that money.”

Shen Jixue’s expression was solemn. It might not mean much to Chen Xian, but for him, regardless of the amount, he would feel heartache over Chen Xian’s money.

“You didn’t need to rush back like this.” Shen Jixue said.

Shen Jixue seemed to have detached from the earlier state of mind, now distressed over Chen Xian’s money.

Chen Xian didn’t know how to respond. If Shen Liang had just gone to work, there would be no need for him to rush back. But that wasn’t the case. As it stood, he needed to visit Shen Jixue’s hometown and find their relatives.

“I might not be able to stay at home for long,” Chen Xian said.

Shen Jixue paused, blinking incessantly.

Chen Xian quickly made something up, “There’s a ship leaving from work, so I’ll go with them.”

“When are you leaving? Tomorrow?” Shen Jixue asked pitifully, almost asking Chen Xian to stay longer. Chen Xian was just making things up, and when he would leave depended on when he contacted Shen Jixue’s family.

“Not so soon actually. Loading will take a couple of days. No rush,” Chen Xian replied.

“Oh, I see.”

Chen Xian felt a slight pain on the back of his hand. Looking down, he saw Shen Jixue gripping his hand tightly, fingers digging into his skin.

Chen Xian pulled his hand away gently, enduring the pain without a sound, and softly reassured, “It’s alright, Xiao Shen. I’m back now, aren’t I?”

Shen Jixue looked exhausted. Chen Xian guided him to the room to rest.

“Xiao Shen, get some sleep, okay?”

Shen Jixue didn’t resist. He lay down but still didn’t let go of Chen Xian’s hand. Chen Xian had no choice but to sit by the bed, keeping him company until he fell asleep.

Gradually, Shen Jixue’s grip loosened. Chen Xian glanced at the time, gently freed his hand, and seeing no response from Shen Jixue, he quietly left the room.

“Hey? Chen Xian?” The door closed, and Aunt Wang greeted him.

Chen Xian forced a dry smile. “Aunt Wang, what a coincidence.”

“Why… why did you come back so soon?” Aunt Wang asked.

It was easier to deceive Shen Jixue than to fool the neighbors. Chen Xian could only tell the truth, “There’s something at home, so I got off the ship midway.”

“Midway?” Aunt Wang sighed. Chen Xian had been away for some time now. “So, you wasted this trip? Next time you board, you’ll have to write a self-criticism. What happened that made you rush back?”

Chen Xian gestured towards the window. The window was half-open, and the curtain fluttered in the hot wind, like waves on a river. He hadn’t noticed the figure behind the curtain.

“It’s family matters.” Chen Xian was tongue-tied and couldn’t explain clearly. “I’m going out again.”

Shen Jixue couldn’t sleep at all. With Chen Xian by his side, he had a moment of relief. But since Chen Xian had broken free from his grasp, he hadn’t come back yet. When Chen Xian left, he got up too.

Shen Jixue was already familiar with the steps from the room to the living room. Hearing Chen Xian and Aunt Wang chatting, he immediately hid by the window.

He had caused trouble for Chen Xian again. Chen Xian got off the ship halfway through, rushed back specially, and it wasn’t just about missing wages. Next time boarding wouldn’t be so easy, and why had he lied to him? It was clear that he couldn’t go on board, so where could he go?

Dad? How is Dad? Chen Xian didn’t tell him the truth because of his Dad…

A wave of bitterness surged from deep in his throat, and Shen Jixue covered his face, afraid to think further. He comforted himself desperately. “It’s okay. Maybe Chen Xian really has something to do. Dad just went to Shenzhen, but… maybe there are some things I don’t know. He probably can’t tell me, he must be fine.”

“Do you fucking have to call me to the vegetable market to buy vegetables?” Wu Bie looked a little disgusted and glanced at the environment of the vegetable market. They were close to the poultry sales area, and they could already smell the chicken manure.

Chen Xian remained silent all the way, as if he had made up his mind, and said, “I’ve thought about it. I’ll go to Xiao Shen’s hometown the day after tomorrow and find his other relatives.”

“Don’t bother with such thankless tasks. Even the police can’t get those people to come. Why should they give you face? Just make a phone call to ask. Why go there specially?”

“You said it yourself, even the police can’t get them to come. A phone call definitely won’t work. Showing sincerity by going in person.” Chen Xian patted Wu Bie on the shoulder. “They are relatives after all. They can’t just ignore it. At the very least, they should help Shen Liang rest in peace.”

Wu Bie was rendered helpless by Chen Xian’s saintly demeanor. It wasn’t like the past now. If relatives didn’t keep in touch, it was like cutting off ties.

But Wu Bie thought again. If he could persuade Shen Jixue’s relatives to come and collect the body, and also take Shen Jixue back, it would be killing two birds with one stone.

“If you really manage to persuade them and they are willing to come, it’s best if his relatives take him back. Like you said, they are relatives. They can’t just leave it be. Being with relatives is better than being with strangers like us.”

Chen Xian choked up. Wu Bie spoke the truth. Shen Jixue was indeed a problem, mainly because he had to work himself and couldn’t take care of him.

“But I can’t tell Xiao Shen that his father is gone.”

“Just tell them not to say it.” Wu Bie added, “But he will know sooner or later. Can you hide it from him forever?”

The chickens in the chicken coop looked listless, as if they were sick chickens. Chen Xian didn’t buy any and turned to buy some ribs from the pork stall.

“Have dinner at my place tonight.”

Wu Bie looked at the ribs in Chen Xian’s hand. “Can you cook?”

Naturally, Chen Xian didn’t know how to cook the ribs. Passing by Aunt Wang’s doorstep, he asked what to do. Aunt Wang suggested he use a pressure cooker, as it was simple and easy.

“Xiao Shen?” Chen Xian unlocked the door with his keys. Shen Jixue had already woken up at some point and was now sitting on the sofa in the living room. “We’re having spare ribs tonight.”

When Shen Jixue heard his voice, he mechanically turned his head like a puppet and seemed soulless.

Seeing Shen Jixue in this state, something seemed off. Wu Bie exchanged a glance with Chen Xian. Chen Xian quickly approached Shen Jixue and felt his forehead. “Are you feeling unwell?”

Shen Jixue lowered his eyes and shook his head. “Maybe it’s because I just woke up. Spare ribs tonight?”

“Yeah.” Chen Xian handed the vegetables he was holding to Wu Bie, then took Shen Jixue to the bathroom. “Wash your face, freshen up.”

Wu Bie grumbled to himself as he looked down at the plastic bag in his hand. He really should hurry and send this blind guy away. He felt like he was already their servant.